-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- South African police are investigating abuse allegations at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy , the talk-show host 's $ 40 million school for disadvantaged girls near Johannesburg .

Oprah Winfrey , who founded the school this year , has apologized in connection with the incident .

Investigators declined to provide details of the alleged abuse and said no charges have been filed . The academy 's CEO , John Samuel , said in a statement earlier this month that an internal inquiry was launched based on a claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent .

According to an article in The Cape Argus , a Cape Town newspaper , the dorm parent allegedly grabbed a pupil by the throat and threw her against a wall , the girl claimed . Girls at the school also claimed that the matron swore and screamed at the girls and assaulted them , the newspaper reported Saturday .

The newspaper said one of the pupils ran away from the school , blaming the alleged abuse .

In an emergency meeting with pupils and parents at the school , Winfrey apologized in connection with the incident . `` I 've disappointed you . I 'm sorry . I 'm so sorry , '' she said tearfully , according to numerous South African media reports .

Winfrey 's representatives said she flew to South Africa twice in October to meet with parents of girls at the academy , although they would not specify what the meetings were about .

Previously , Winfrey -- who has spoken publicly about the abuse she suffered as a child -- issued a statement on October 17 saying , `` Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy . ''

In the statement , Samuel said South African child protection services were notified and that the dorm parent was removed from the campus . `` We have engaged professional investigators of the highest standing from South Africa and the United States to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry into these claims , '' the statement said .

The school 's head has agreed to take a paid leave of absence pending the results of the investigation , although she is not the subject of the allegation , Samuel said .

The national prosecuting authority is deciding whether or not criminal charges will be filed . In an October 23 statement , Samuel referred inquiries to the South African Child Protection Services Unit .

The academy opened in January with a student body made up of some of South Africa 's poorest children . The academy provides its 450 students with textbooks , uniforms and meals . E-mail to a friend

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Report : Student says dorm parent grabbed her by the throat

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Winfrey aides say she flew to South Africa twice to speak to parents , pupils

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Winfrey founded $ 40 million school in January to help disadvantaged girls